entire newsletter! - York County Rail Trail Authority

Fall/Winter 2010-11
YORK COUNTY RAIL TRAIL AUTHORITY NEWSLETTER
Trail Tourism
the growing popularity of trails as destinations
Co-authors: Rebecca Costello, Chairwoman,York County Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Board
of Directors and Gwen Loose, Executive Director, York County Rail Trail Authority.
P. O. Box 335
Seven Valleys, PA 17360
Telephone: (717) 428-0999
Fax: (717) 428-0998
e-mail: [email protected]
web site: www.yorkcountytrails.org
Carl Knoch
Chairman
Trails are recreational. We seek them out whether for a casual evening walk with the
dog, a bike ride with friends and family, or a weeklong excursion. They can lead us
through a local park or a remote wilderness, all the while enjoying recreating in the
great outdoors.
Many trails are also historical. They often follow historic rail lines, such as York
County’s Heritage Rail Trail, or link historic sites such as the Great Allegheny Passage
connecting Pittsburgh to Washington, DC. Moving on a bicycle at 10 miles per hour
or walking at 2 miles per hour, trail visitors slowly experience the heritage of an area.
Don Gogniat
1st Vice-chairman
Combine recreation with local history and trails become magnets for tourism. Similarly,
trail towns – large urban centers or quieter communities located along a trail – become
destinations for hungry, tired, and intellectually curious trail travelers. Trails provide
another “market-able” feature of an area’s tourism package.
Mack Johnson
2nd Vice-chairman
Ed Hughes
Secretary
Here are a few interesting facts about York County tourism: *
- York County is located in Pennsylvania’s #1 visited tourist region.
- The County is ranked 6th in the state for economic impact generated by tourism.
- Visitors spend more than $1.3 billion in York County every year.
- York County’s tourism industry generates more than $126 million in state and
local taxes each year.
- York County’s tourism industry employs more than 28,600 people.
Dennis Flickinger
Treasurer
Pamela Gay
County Representative
Glenn Eyster, Jr.
Henry Herrman
Heidi Hormel
Dwight Robison
York County’s hospitality industry welcomes
thousands of visitors a year to our area. According
to Ms. Costello, “While those visitors are here
they take factory tours, sample vintages along the
Gwen Loose
Executive Director
Newsletter Editor
(Continued on page 3.)
Generously supported by funding from:
* Information provided by The Economic Impact of
Travel & Tourism in Pennsylvania, Global Insight and
D.K. Shifflet & Associates Ltd.
Thank You To Our Newsletter Sponsors
Bob Potts Heritage Rail Trail Marathon
along the scenic Heritage Rail Trail County Park
May 15, 2011
Registration opens November 1st at
http://www.bobpottsrun.com
4370 W Market St.
(RT 30)
York, PA 17408
(717) 792-4400
www.adventure-cycling.com
PROJECT UPDATES
York County Plan for Pathways, Trails & Waterways
This study, which began in January 2010, is being conducted by the Rail Trail Authority and its partners York County Planning
Commission and York County Parks Department. Public workshops were conducted in March and July at various sites around
the county and attracted over 100 attendees who shared their ideas for creating a coordinated strategy and vision for future trails
in our county. The study will conclude with a third series of workshops in November and a final presentation of the Plan in
December (see notice below). Please join this “trail conversation” as together we plan for the future. For more information,
project newsletters are posted at www.yorkcountytrails.org.
Who should attend:
Elected officials
Municipal planners
Transportation planners
Health & fitness advocates
 Parks & recreation
PUBLIC WORKSHOPS to create a YORK COUNTY TRAIL PLAN
NOVEMBER 18, 2010
Draft Plan will be presented. Your comments will be invited.
3:30 PM
professionals
 Realtors & land developers
Users of pathways, trails,
Mark Your Calendar & Plan to Attend
and waterways
7:00 PM
Select a time & location convenient for you:
York Co. Administrative Center, 2nd Floor Commissioners Mtg. Rm.
28 E Market St., York 17401
Springfield Township Bldg., 9211 Susquehanna Trail South
Seven Valleys 17360
Final Plan will be presented December 8, 10 AM at the York Co. Administrative Center.
Information at (717) 428-0999 or www.yorkcountytrails.org
Hanover Trolley Trail
State funding received for next phase
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, under its Community Conservation Partnerships Program,
has awarded a $127,500 grant to the York County Rail Trail Authority for development of an additional section of the Hanover
Trolley Trail in Jackson Township.
The section to be developed is from Hershey Road to Martin Road in
Jackson Township, a distance of approximately ¾ mile. This project
will connect at Hershey Road to a trail section that was built in 2008
and included a parking lot in Spring Grove Borough at Hosiery Alley,
approximately ¾ mile of trail, and a parking area at Hershey Road in
Jackson Township.
The grant application identified a partnership with Jackson Township to
contribute labor and equipment to construct this section of trail. The
grant award will be used to purchase materials, and the Rail Trail Authority
will contribute engineering and design services. Engineering will begin by
year’s end, with construction to follow in 2011.
Northern Extension of HRTCP
While municipal reviews near completion for Phase 2, construction documents are being prepared for the bridge over the
Codorus Creek at Emig Road/Mundis Mill Road and bridge ramps. Bridge and ramp construction will begin in early spring
2011.
In York City, a development team has begun working with Buchart Horn, Inc.’s Karla Farrell to design the trail in the Northwest
Triangle Redevelopment area. Funding is provided by York County, York City, and the York County Community Foundation’s
Codorus Watershed Endowment.
TrailTourism
(Continued from page one.)
UnCork York Wine Trail, and soak-in the amazing array of recreational opportunities at their finger tips.” She further
adds,“Recreation is a growing segment of our tourism industry. The continued support and expansion of York County’s
recreational trails supports the Visitors Bureau’s vision of generating positive economic impact in York County through
promotion of all forms of visitation.”
“When planning to visit an area – whether it is across our county, state, or country – take the time to slow down with a walk,
bicycle or horse ride,” recommends Ms. Loose. “Your experiences as a tourist will be more memorable.”
Summer Intern Assists YCRTA
By William Miller, Millersville University
Late this past spring, I had to make a decision: what would I do this summer? I knew that at
some point in my environmental geography studies at Millersville University I had to complete a
“CO-OP” program, also known as an internship. After consulting with my internship advisors at
Millersville, I decided that this summer was the best time to complete my internship. Additional
guidance from the school’s internship office and their online “Intern Link” system, led me to
York County Rail Trail Authority. At the beginning of my 12-week tenure at the Authority,
I had no idea what to expect, but soon after starting in May, I knew I was on the right track.
Some of my tasks this past summer included conducting trail inspections; creating newsletters, invitations, and displays promoting
the York County Trail Plan; creating and sending letters and bulk mailings; attending meetings and workshops; writing sections
of grant applications; and observing a day with the GIS mappers at the York County Planning Commission.
Look Cool
I now have a much greater understanding of not only the planning process
involved in creating trails, but also how trails create connections and tie into
their surroundings. The knowledge that I gained will be invaluable in helping
me complete my schooling and begin my career.
***
Be Cool
Wear a hat
to support trail
development
in York County!
Miles of Smiles
Photography project celebrates
20th anniversary
York County Rail Trail Authority is celebrating
the 20th anniversary of its founding by inviting
the public to share photographs of happy visits
to the County’s rail trails.
Shank’s Mare Outfitters
Spangler Family on
Heritage Rail Trail
Photographs taken on the Rail Trail either “We love the scenery, the food, and being
able to let the kids bike ahead.”
the Heritage Rail Trail County Park or
Hanover Trolley Trail that capture a happy moment may be mailed to the
Authority at PO Box 335, Seven Valleys, PA 17360 or emailed to info@
yorkcountytrails.org. Include a brief caption that states location of
photograph, names of those pictured, and what makes them smile on the trail.
Project ends December 1, 2010 at which time a photographic “card” will
be posted on the website and presented to the Authority at its December
business meeting. All photographs become the property of York County
Rail Trail Authority.
We invite you to our fall/winter business meetings:
At the YCRTA office, 45 Cherry St., Seven Valleys, PA. 17360 at 7 PM:
November 15 & December 20, 2010; January 10, February 14, & March 21, 2011
on the Susquehanna River in Wrightsville, PA
is offering a special, limited edition of their
“Go Play Outside” sports caps for sale
with proceeds to benefit
York County Rail Trail Authority
York County Parks Department
projects to extend the
Heritage Rail Trail County Park.
Color: Tan with burgundy embroidery
Front: Go Play Outside
Back: Heritage Rail Trail County Park
******
For sale at the following locations:
Gung Ho Outfitters
A Bit More Tack
Adventure Cycle & Fitness Railroad Café
Serenity Station Café
Cycle Works
Shank’s Mare Outfitters
Flying Feet
Whistle Stop Bike Shop
Or by contacting Shank’s Mare Outfitters at
(717) 252-1616 or www.shanksmare.com
Pre-Sort Standard
U.S. Postage
PAID
York, PA
Permit #178
P. O. Box 335
Seven Valleys, PA 17360
www.yorkcountytrails.org
Enriching York County communities and countryside
through the development of a network of public trails.
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
We salute the
2010 York County Rail
Trail Award Winners.
•
•
•
Government Leader: George M. Trout
Organization: Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Trail Champions: John & Sue Schmidt
Congratulations!
Support rail trail development. Become a member today.
FRIENDS OF YORK COUNTY TRAILS
The mission of Friends of York County Trails is to provide support to the York County Rail Trail Authority in its efforts to build a network of non-motorized
trails throughout York County. Your contribution will go toward the design and construction of trails that provide both recreation, health & fitness, alternative
transportation, and economic benefits to the residents of York County.
Benefits of membership include:
§ One-year subscription to our newsletter, Trail News
§ Rail-trail advocacy and community education § Advance notice of special events
§ Free technical services to York County public and non-profit trail groups
Individual Membership Levels:
Student
Individual
Family
Supporter
Contributor
Sponsor
To become a member, complete this
Organizational Membership Levels:
$ 10.00
Corporate
$1,000.00 or more
$ 15.00
Municipal
$ 500.00 or more
$ 25.00
Small Business
$ 250.00 or more
$ 35.00
Organizations
$ 50.00 or more
$ 50.00
$100.00
form and return it with your membership contribution to: YCRTA, Box 335, Seven Valleys, PA 17360
Name _ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mailing Address _ _______________________________________________________________________________________________
City, State and Zip _ _____________________________________________________________________________________________
E-mail address (if applicable) ______________________________________________________________________________________
Please enroll me at the $_________________________ membership level.
Make check payable to York County Rail Trail Authority.
♦
Thank you for your support!
The York County Rail Trail Authority is organized under the Pennsylvania Municipality Authorities Act of 1945. Contributions are used exclusively for the development of public trails and, as such,
may be fully tax deductible pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code. Official registration and financial information may be obtained by contacting the Authority at (717) 428-0999.